Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
On the 15 year anniversary of Malice at the Palace, former Pacer Al Harrington reflects on the violent event.
On the 15 year anniversary of Malice at the Palace, former Pacer Al Harrington reflects on the violent event.
It’s the 15th anniversary of the Pacers and Pistons fight at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
On November 19th, 2004, a fight erupted in the final minute of a lopsided Pacers-Pistons game, and escalated into one of the ugliest scenes in modern NBA history.
Ben Wallace took issue with a foul from Ron Artest, now Metta World Peace, and responded with a hard shove to Artest’s chest. Moments later, just as the teams seemed to be separating, a fan launched a cup of beer toward the group of players, which hit Artest in the chest. Artest then jumped into the stands and attacked a fan, and other Pacers jumped over seats to back him up. In all, the resulting suspensions cost the involved players a total of 146 games, led by Artest, who was suspended for the remainder of the season.
15 years later, Reggie Miller – who did not play for the Pacers that night but earned a 1-game suspension for entering the stands – recapped the chaos during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show. Miller said that the Pacers weren’t concerned for their safety leaving the arena that night, but there was talk of “assassins” when Indiana returned later in the season. That game was delayed after multiple bomb threats were called into the Palace.
“When we played them again and had to come to the Palace, that’s when the issues of safety [arose], because people were calling in bomb threats. There were supposed to be hitmen and assassins, it was, like, crazy. We had to stay on the bus – I’m not kidding you – two hours, we couldn’t even go into the Palace the next time we came to play the Pistons because there were so many bomb scares. The police presence was unbelievable.”
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Previewing Monday’s Minnesota Timberwolves at Detroit Pistons odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.
The Minnesota Timberwolves (5-4) visit the Detroit Pistons (4-6) Monday at Little Caesars Arena for a 7 p.m. ET start. We analyze the Timberwolves-Pistons odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.
Timberwolves:
Pistons
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Timberwolves 114, Pistons 108
The +125 line for the visiting TIMBERWOLVES is quite inviting. Even with the Pistons’ anticipated return of PF Blake Griffin, there expects to be a decent amount of rust.
Can Detroit keep up with Minnesota? The Pistons have shown tendencies of having a tough time piling up points. Griffin will help but maybe not right away.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Timberwolves to win outright returns a profit of $12.50. Detroit has too much uncertainty and is a -150 favorite which seems a bit high.
The moneyline is a better play but a TIMBERWOLVES (+3.5, -106) pick is not a terrible choice. A Minnesota cover here (lose by three or fewer points or win outright) returns a profit of $9.43 on the same $10 wager.
Minnesota is 3-2 against the spread on the road with a higher point cover projection (plus-2.2 points per game). Detroit is 3-2 ATS at home but there’s just too much uncertainty with Griffin returning to the lineup.
Let’s take the OVER 219.5 (+105). There is a tendency to acknowledge offense comes first over defense when players return. The two teams combine for around 224 points per game.
Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Chris’ NBA betting record: 19-15
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